Hidden referrer column for history

Extensions can now access the referrer information for pages stored in
the browser history. This feature can be used to provide alternate history
views and other useful functionality. For example, my How'd I Get Here? extension uses this feature.

API for prioritizing HTTP connections

The Mozilla networking library now supports the prioritization of
connections to a specific server. (See nsISupportsPriority.)

API for managing user and UA stylesheets

Extensions can now register stylesheet URIs as additional user and UA
stylesheets. This means extensions no longer have to try to edit
userContent.css to add styling (say for XBL binding
attachment) to web pages. This makes it easier to implement extensions like
Flashblock. For details on using
this API, see
Using
the Stylesheet Service.

Site-specific user style sheet rules

Firefox now supports
site-specific
user style sheet rules. While advanced users can edit userContent.css to
use this feature directly, an extension could also take advantage of this feature
using the API for managing user style sheets above.

Dynamic Overlays

Loading of XUL overlays after the document has been displayed is now
supported. (See nsIDOMXULDocument.)

Translucent Windows (Windows/Linux)

On Windows and Linux, XUL windows with a transparent background are now
supported. This allows whatever is below the window to shine through the
window background.

New Preferences Bindings

These new
bindings make it easier to create preferences windows for extensions.
The new preferences windows support instant-apply behavior, which is
enabled by default on Mac and Linux.

API for implementing new command-line switches

XTF Support

The eXtensible Tag Framework allows adding support for new namespaces
using XPCOM components to Mozilla (written in JavaScript or C++). For
example, the Mozilla XForms Project uses XTF to
add support for the XForms namespace. See the
XTF Home Page.

Rich list box

Access to nsIEditor of textboxes

Firefox now has a supported method for getting the nsIEditor of textboxes and textareas, making it easier to implement features such as spell checking for web forms. For more information, see bug 303727 or nsIDOMNSEditableElement.

Extensions written using JavaScript now use XPCNativeWrappers by default, making it easier to write extensions that manipulate web content without introducing security holes.

Extensions can now specify that they are compatible only with specific versions of Firefox (e.g. Firefox 1.5.0.2). Most extensions that work with Firefox 1.5 should set their maxVersion as 1.5.0.*, indicating that they will work with future security releases (unless some of those releases contain API changes, which is unlikely and will cause them to be numbered e.g. Firefox 1.5.1). See this page for more information.

This entry was posted
on Thursday, November 3rd, 2005 at 8:01 pm and is filed under JavaScript, Mozilla.
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[…] Just found a cool set of bookmarklets from Jesse Ruderman. They let you easily add a seek bar to Flash animations. While looking around I see he’s also got a handy summary of new features in Firefox 1.5 for extension developers. Good stuff. […]